UK to change sanctions rules in move towards seizing Russian assets

Move changes purpose of sanctions so that they will be maintained until Russia agrees to pay compensation

The UK is introducing new laws that will allow ministers to maintain Russian sanctions until compensation is paid to Ukraine, thus introducing a way for frozen Russian assets to be donated to Ukrainian reconstruction.

The laws go some way to ensuring that Russian assets currently frozen by the UK government can in effect eventually be seized – a move that many western powers have rejected on the basis that it could set a precedent for western assets held overseas to also be seized.